Variable-Wall Tubular Seat Frame for Strength-Weight Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional passenger seat frame components have a constant thickness, making them heavy, expensive, and limited in formability, failing to meet design requirements effectively.
Innovation Solution
A tubular frame component with variable wall thickness, where different portions have distinct thicknesses to accommodate varying stress conditions, allowing for increased formability and reduced weight while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a constant thickness is used for the tubular frame component, then the structural strength and stiffness requirements are met, but the weight increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular frame component employs variable wall thickness where different sections have different thicknesses based on their specific structural requirements. High-stress areas have thicker walls for strength, while low-stress areas have thinner walls to reduce weight, optimizing the strength-to-weight ratio across the entire frame structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall thickness parameter of the tubular frame component is varied continuously or discontinuously along its length to match the stress distribution pattern. This parameter optimization allows the frame to maintain adequate strength where needed while minimizing material usage and weight in less critical areas.
2Ease of manufacture
If a constant thickness is used for the tubular frame component, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the formability is limited and design flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The frame component is designed with locally varied thicknesses that correspond to specific functional requirements such as bending sections, connection points, and load-bearing areas. This local differentiation enables complex three-dimensional shapes and configurations that would be impossible with uniform thickness, while still maintaining manufacturability through modern forming techniques.
3Quantity of substance
If a constant thickness is used for the tubular frame component, then the material usage is uniform, but the cost increases and design requirements cannot be fully met
Solution Approach 1:
The wall thickness parameter is optimized to match the actual stress distribution and functional requirements of different frame sections. This results in reduced material consumption overall, lower manufacturing costs, and the ability to meet diverse design requirements through a single integrated component rather than requiring multiple parts or excessive material.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a frame component for a passenger seat assembly. The frame includes a tubular frame component having a first portion and a second portion. The bent portion bends the frame at a non-zero angle within a plane. The tubular frame component includes a variable inner diameter such that the first portion of the tubular frame component has a first wall thickness and the bent portion of the tubular frame component has a second wall thickness that is different from the first wall thickness.